PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Damien Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and John Seraphim (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters will be looking to make this an exciting fight for the fans, I'm sure!

Smith
vs
Seraphim

176 cm
25
155 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

182 cm
19
155 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Damien Smith!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, John Seraphim!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Jack Bonds and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Seraphim loads up on a big right hand but Smith slips the punch.
It looked like Smith was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Seraphim takes a swing at Smith's ribcage but misses.
As Seraphim tries to get set, Smith tries to push him back and clinch up but Seraphim manages to avoid the attempt.
Seraphim fails with a takedown attempt.
Seraphim on the wrong end of a nice jab.

Smith rushes Seraphim and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Seraphim pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Seraphim stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Seraphim wants it to stay on the feet.
Seraphim moves in looking to clinch but Smith pushes him off.

Smith moves into the clinch successfully.

Smith pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Seraphim shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Smith but Smith pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Smith swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Smith swats away the attempt to clinch by Seraphim.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Seraphim!

Smith closes the distance and clinches.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Seraphim goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Smith manages to break the clinch.
Smith throws a series of strikes that have Seraphim backpedaling.
Smith circles away from the clinch attempt.
Smith scores with a crisp jab that stopped Seraphim in his tracks.

Smith fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Seraphim, pushing him back against the cage.
Seraphim changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Smith fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Damien Smith has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of John Seraphim.
Seraphim is looking to clinch but Smith is avoiding it.

Seraphim has closed the distance and engaged Smith in a clinch.
A frustrated look appears on Smith's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Smith tries to stall but Seraphim uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Smith tries to pull guard but Seraphim won't allow it.
Seraphim throws a head punch that misses.

Seraphim works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Seraphim won't allow Smith to get back to his feet.
Seraphim pushes down on Smith's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Seraphim working Smith over with strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Seraphim trying to control from half guard but Smith is working away.
Smith is trying to stand.
Smith wants to get back to full guard.
Seraphim is trying to control the action in half guard but Smith is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Smith knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Seraphim on the ground.
Smith avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Seraphim.
Smith tries to roll over but Seraphim keeps him under control.
Smith is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Seraphim jumps into side control!
Smith is not content to let Seraphim control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Seraphim has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Smith tries to buck Seraphim off but Seraphim is having none of it.
Seraphim working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Smith wants to control but Seraphim postures up.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Seraphim throws a right and a left that Smith avoids nicely.
Seraphim fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Smith looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Smith defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Seraphim.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Smith tries to bum rush Seraphim with a series of wild strikes but Seraphim uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Damien Smith seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Smith is defended easily by Seraphim.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Smith clinches up with Seraphim and pushes him back against the cage.
Smith lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Seraphim lands an uppercut.

Smith gets control of Seraphim's arms and successfully pulls guard. Smith will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Seraphim trying to control the position from guard on top but Smith is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Smith wants to stand up but Seraphim is controlling him.
Seraphim is pushing down on Smith's leg trying to pass to half guard. Smith is fighting to maintain full guard but Seraphim has managed to sneak the leg through.
Seraphim throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Seraphim perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but John Seraphim will probably get the nod.
That's time! Smith's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Smith throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Seraphim's coach down at was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Seraphim's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Seraphim throws a body punch but Smith moves out of range.
Seraphim throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Smith misses with a combination

and Seraphim counters with a single leg into guard. Smith didn't expect that.
Seraphim throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Smith works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Seraphim controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Seraphim working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Seraphim wants to control from the top but Smith keeps moving.
Seraphim advances to half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Smith is trying to stand back up but Seraphim is controlling him
Seraphim wants to lay and pray for a moment but Smith keeps working.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Seraphim lands strikes from half guard.
Seraphim looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Smith with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

Smith is rocked!
Seraphim passes the guard and advances to mount!
Oh Smith is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Seraphim loads up on a couple of big shots to the head that have Smith scrambling to escape. He can't get free though and several more unanswered shots from Seraphim land to the head. The referee has no choice but to stop the fight. Seraphim stands and salutes the crowd.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:50 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). John Seraphim!